One-way air duct for engine compartment cooling

Abstract

The present invention describes an opening for engine compartment cooling. The opening includes a one-way valve that permits airflow only at speed. The valve allows cooling air to circulate past the engine without impeding the efficiency of the radiator. The size, shape and number of openings and valves may vary depending on cooling capacity or styling considerations. The opening includes a leading edge followed by an indentation defining a port for a one-way valve. A valve is fixed in the port so that airflow can occur only in one direction.

1. An opening in a hood of a motor vehicle for cooling an engine compartment, the hood having a front and a rear and an outer surface, the opening comprising:
 a) a leading edge defining at least part of a periphery of the opening; 
 b) an indentation defining a volume, the indentation extending from the leading edge and inward toward the engine compartment from the outer surface, the indentation at least partially rearward of the leading edge and defining at least one port; and 
 c) a valve in the port, the valve capable of opening and closing and permitting airflow only out of the engine compartment. 
 
   
   
     2. The opening of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a membrane. 
   
   
     3. The opening of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane includes a perimeter that seats on a flattened surface of the port. 
   
   
     4. The opening of  claim 1 , wherein the port includes a plurality of ribs joining at a hub. 
   
   
     5. The opening of  claim 4 , wherein the valve is secured to the port at the hub. 
   
   
     6. The opening of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a trailing edge rearward of the leading edge and defining at least a second part of the periphery of the opening. 
   
   
     7. The opening of  claim 6 , wherein the leading edge and trailing edge define a plane. 
   
   
     8. The opening of  claim 6 , wherein the indentation has a depth that decreases from the leading edge to the trailing edge. 
   
   
     9. The opening of  claim 6 , wherein the leading edge has a leading width, the trailing edge has a trailing width, and the trailing width is less than the leading width. 
   
   
     10. The opening of  claim 1 , wherein an intersection of the indentation and the leading edge includes an abrupt transition. 
   
   
     11. The opening of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the indentation is forward of the leading edge. 
   
   
     12. The opening of  claim 11 , wherein at least one port is at least partially forward of the leading edge. 
   
   
     13. An opening in a hood of a motor vehicle for cooling an engine compartment, the hood having a front and a rear and an outer surface, the opening comprising:
 a) a leading edge defining at least part of a periphery of the opening; 
 b) an indentation defining a volume, the indentation extending from the leading edge and inward toward the engine compartment from the outer surface, the indentation at least partially rearward of the leading edge and defining at least one port having a plurality of ribs joined at a hub; and 
 c) a valve in the port that permits airflow only out of the engine compartment, the valve comprising a membrane having a perimeter that seats on a flattened surface of the port and secured to the port at the hub. 
 
   
   
     14. An engine hood for a motor vehicle having a front, a rear and an internal combustion engine, the hood having an outer surface and defining an engine compartment around at least a portion of the engine, the hood comprising a cooling duct comprising:
 a) a leading edge having a leading width and defining at least part of a periphery of the opening; 
 b) an indentation defining a volume, the indentation extending from the leading edge and inward toward the engine compartment from the outer surface, the indentation at least partially rearward of the leading edge defining at least one port; and 
 c) a valve in the port, the valve capable of opening and closing and permitting airflow only out of the engine compartment.